Landscaping
Design, execution, and cost for garden landscaping. El-Eman Office provides surveying and contracting for landscapes.
The Role of Surveying in Garden Design
Many people start by thinking about plant types before they understand the shape of the ground. The right approach is to begin with an accurate levels map. Slopes decide where irrigation and rain water flow, where it collects, and how high paths sit relative to the building. A perfectly flat garden can suffer from standing water, while a very steep one quickly loses soil and water.
- Record existing ground levels and their relationship to the building entrance level.
- Locate the existing trees that are to be kept.
- Map underground utilities so planting does not conflict with them.
- Set out paths and hard elements accurately on site before any digging.
Choosing Plants and Preparing the Soil
Landscaping succeeds when plants suit the local climate. In coastal cities such as Alexandria, plants face humidity and salt-laden wind, so tolerant species are preferred. In desert areas, low-water plants make more sense. It is better to ask a reliable nursery which species suit the site than to choose by appearance alone.
Soil preparation matters as much as planting and includes:
- Removing rubble and construction waste from the topsoil layer.
- Improving the soil with organic compost and sand or silt, depending on its type.
- Levelling the surface while leaving gentle falls that drain water away from walls.
- Compacting the layers under paths to avoid later settlement.
Common Mistakes That Harm a Garden After Completion
Some mistakes recur in residential gardens, and advance planning avoids them. Trees planted too close to foundations or boundary walls can damage the structure over the years, sprinklers aimed the wrong way wet the walls and cause damp, and leaving the ground without turf or an alternative cover exposes the soil to erosion and dust.
- Not leaving enough space between trees for their future growth.
- Failing to divide the irrigation network into separate zones according to each plant's needs.
- Installing lighting after planting, so cable trenches damage the plants.
- Having no regular maintenance plan for pruning, fertilising and watering.
Planning Irrigation and Lighting Before Planting
Laying pipes and cables after planting means digging up planted areas and damaging them. Buried works are therefore done first: main and branch irrigation lines, cable protection conduits and inspection chambers. Only then is the soil levelled and planted. Irrigation should be zoned by water demand, since lawn needs different watering from shrubs and large trees. It is also useful to leave empty spare conduits under paths for future additions.
Frequently asked questions
Can landscaping begin before the building works are finished?
It is better to wait until the heavy works end, because the movement of equipment and materials destroys soil and plants. In the meantime the design, the survey and some preparatory work, such as the irrigation network and lighting conduits, can be completed.
Which is better for a small garden: natural or artificial grass?
Each has advantages. Natural grass gives coolness and life but needs regular watering and care. Artificial grass needs little maintenance but heats up in summer and is not a substitute for planting. The choice depends on use and on the maintenance budget.
When in the year is it best to plant?
It depends on the plant, but milder periods, when the heat is less harsh, are usually preferred because new plants need time to settle in. The supplying nursery can advise the best timing for each variety.
